Silver Quill

FEBRUARY 2019

VOLUME 37,

NO. 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Tax Assistance 2

Blood Pressures 3

Endowment Fund 4

Donations 4

Nutrition 6

Fargo Menu 7

West Fargo Menu 8

Rural Cass News 10

Meal Site News 11

Rent Refunds 12

Foot Care Clinics 12

Community

Outreach 13

Center Highlights 14

NDSU Research

Study 15

Valley Senior Services

P.O. Box 2217

Fargo, ND 58108

www.valleyseniorservices.org

Directors: Becky Christianson

Jane Hazlett

Juanita Tewksbury

Wilbert Fischer

Marlene Batterberry

Henry Kucera

Duane Fontaine

Vince Dalke

Mike Worner

Director:

Brian Arett

Transportation Manager: Paul Grindeland

Outreach Manager: Bernie Johnson

Nutrition Manager: Shannon Lang

Metro Senior Ride Operations

Supervisor: Cindy Girdner

Dispatchers: Jessica Sabo

Sharon Sondreal

Paula Thomas

Dietitian: Vanessa Berg

Resource Specialists: Patty Dahley

Jill McCall

Kassie Emanuel

Sheena Nelson

Karleen Wyum

Administrative Assistants: Em Janes

Chrissy Nelson

Kathy Watt If you are qualified, your rights to receive the

services provided by this organization without

regard to race, color, religion, sex, national

origin, age or handicap are protected by

Federal Law. If you believe you have been

discriminated against, please contact: Brian

Arett, Valley Senior Services, P.O. Box

2217, Fargo, ND 58108. (701) 293-1440.

Statement of Identification - Silver Quill

Published Monthly by: Valley Senior Services, Inc.

2801 32nd Ave. S, P.O. Box 2217, Fargo, ND 58108

To receive the Silver Quill call 293-1440 or toll free 1-877-827-1916

or e-mail us at:info@valleyseniors.org

February 2019 2

AARP Offers Free Tax Preparation Assistance

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites across North Dakota open in February to help people prepare their 2018 tax returns. This free service is available to low- and moderate-income taxpay-ers of all ages with special attention to those 60 and older. You do not have to be an AARP member to take advantage of the service. IRS-certified volunteers are trained to assist in filing accurate returns and help taxpayers receive all of the benefits, credits, and deductions to which they are entitled. All AARP Tax-Aide sites e-file returns, also at no cost, which helps taxpayers get refunds quickly. Every taxpayer’s return is quality reviewed and all information is kept confidential. Last year in North Dakota 8,980 people were helped with their federal and state tax returns. This year more than 100 volun-teer preparers and client facilitators will staff 11 sites across the state. Local communities with Tax-Aide offices are: Fargo – Olivet Lutheran Church, 1330 S University Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday and Friday, beginning Feb. 1. Moorhead - Hjemkomst Center, 202 1

st Ave N

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, beginning Feb. 7. West Fargo – Faith Lutheran Church, 127 2

nd Ave E

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, beginning Feb. 5. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m Wednesday Individuals should ensure that they have all of the documents they need to file before coming to a Tax-Aide site, including Social Security cards, photo IDs, and a copy of last year’s tax returns. AARP Tax-Aide sites will remain open until April 15.

Valley Senior Services 3

February

Blood Pressures

Ed Clapp Park Center -

2801 32nd Ave. South, Fargo

Tuesday, February 12

10:00 - 11:00 am

Lutheran Church of the Cross -

1402 16th St. East, West Fargo

Tuesday, February 5th

11:00 am

Attention Snowbirds!!

Please contact us at

701-293-1440 or info@valleyseniors.org

to put a hold on the newslet-ters while you are gone for the winter. It will help us save on

paper and postage. Thank you!

February 2019 4

(Continued on page 5)

Abernathy, Carole Anonymous Arneson, Ronald in memory of Karen Arneson Batterberry, DeWitt & Marlene Bjork, Joyce Boe, Kevin Boeddeker, Marlene

We appreciate the many donations we have received and

thank each and every one of you for your support. All

contributions can be sent to:

Thank You To Our Contributors!

Valley Senior Services,

P.O. Box 2217

Fargo, ND 58108

$100.00 and Above

Wilbert & Betty Fischer - $2,000

Margaret Mowery - $1,000

Therese Orr - Bell Bank Pay It Forward - $1,000

Paul & Mary Grindeland - $500

Hillsboro Veterans Club - $500

Harlan Sylvester - $400

Pass the Bucket - $350

Gate City Bank employee volunteer remimbursement -

$296.28

John Garske - $200

MBN Engineering, Inc - $200

Omar Berg - $100

Michael Berger - $100

Carolyn Boutain - $100

Edna Ellefson - $100

Ardis Halland - $100

Ruth Hellem - $100

Bernie Johnson - $100

Shannon Lang - $100

Fred Narlock - $100

Richard Oslowski - $100

Steve Sip - $100

Joel & Sandy Vettel - $100

Brend, Barbara Buus, Marvin Campbell, Howard Coffin, Ethel Dronen, Lorraine Ellefson, Charles

Update on Valley Senior

Services Endowment

Fund In our December newslet-ter we told you that we had raised $23,500 to-wards our goal of raising $25,000 by December 31

st which would be

matched by the Dakota Medical Foundation. We have fantastic news to report – during the month of December we raised an additional $4,000 help-ing us to receive the full $25,000 DMF match!

Thank you so much to all of the people who assist-ed us to achieve this goal which in turn will help us to continue meeting the needs of the senior citi-zens for years to come! We appreciate your sup-port of our program and look forward to working with all of you on serving the needs of our senior community!

Valley Senior Services 5

Thank You To Our Contributors!

Ellsworth, Irene Flesberg, Diane in memory of her father, Everett Flesberg Fredrickson, George & Julie Gill, Iris Greicar, Eddie & Camille Griggs, Wesley & Stacey Hahn, Audrey for Giving Hearts Day Hall, Loretta Harrison, Carolyn Idso, Doris Jerstad, Joyce Johnson, Erling Jones, David

Larson, Earl Lenaburg, H. Ed Liroff, Alan McMullen, Charlotte Meyer, Iris Nelson, Marilyn Olson, Jean Olson, Mary Olstad, John Pedersen, Nancy & Ed Peppard, Corrine Peterson, Dale & Marion Peterson, Dewayne Petterson, Lois Rasmussen, Kim & Sandra Rebhahn, Donald & Muriel

Reinke, Edith Rheault, Maurice Rice, Merillyn Ringdahl, Anne Saeger, Ronald & Nancy Salsman, Evelyn Sanderson, Travis for Meals on Wheels program Severson, Clementine Tweed, Elaine Walth, Anna & Gordon Weber, Ruth for Senior Ride service Wellentin, Bonita Wieland, Dorothy

(Continued from page 4)

February 2019 6

(Continued on page 9)

February is Heart Month!!

Life's Simple 7: Steps to Heart Health

For optimal cardiovascular health, the American

Heart Association advises these steps to prevent hard-

ening of the arteries, dubbed Life’s Simple 7.

1. Lose weight (if overweight). A healthy weight

helps promote lower blood pressure, normal blood

sugar, and healthier cholesterol and triglyceride lev-

els.

2. Reduce blood sugar. Fasting blood sugar should

be under 100 mg/dL. Over time, high blood sugar can

damage blood vessels.

3. Eat better. A heart-healthy eating pattern includes

colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish,

poultry, lean meats, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetable

oils and healthful dairy products. Limit fatty red

meats and processed meats, sugar-sweetened items

and sodium (salt).

4. Be physically active. Get at least 150 minutes of

moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of

vigorous-intensity physical activity (or a combination)

each week.

5. Manage blood pressure. Optimal blood pressure is

less than 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure at or above

140/90 mm Hg is high.

6. Control your cholesterol. Unhealthy cholesterol

levels contribute to plaque buildup in arteries

(atherosclerosis), which makes arteries narrower and

stiff.

7. Avoid smoking. Smoking (and regular exposure to

second-hand smoke) increases risk of heart disease

and stroke.

The Bottom Line for Healthy Hearts

We can't prevent aging, but we most likely can age

more healthfully. Ideally, this is an effort that should

start when we're young and continue throughout life

because vascular aging is a lifelong process. Every

step in the direction of a healthy lifestyle, such as

noted in the Life’s Simple 7 goals, may help.

"It is never too late to reap the benefits of a heart-

healthy diet and regular physical activity," Tufts'

Lichtenstein says. "This study should banish any

excuse you might have for not making improve-

ments - starting today."

Here is a heart-healthy recipe from the American

Heart Association:

Take-a-Break Snack Mix Nutrition Facts: Calories: 139 Total Fat: 2g Sodium: 124mg Total Carbs: 28g Dietary Fiber: 4g Sugars: 15g Protein: 2g

Ingredients: Servings 10

non-stick Cooking spray

1/4 cup sliced, unsalted, unoiled almonds

1 Tbsp. light brown sugar

2 tsp. water

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

2 cup whole-grain oat cereal with yogurt-flavored coating

2 cup whole-grain wheat and bran flakes with rai sins

1/2 cup unsweetened, dried cranberries

1/2 cup unsweetened, dried blueberries

7 Valley Senior Services

February 2019 8

10 Valley Senior Services 9

Directions 1. Put a piece of aluminum foil about 12 inches square on a platter or baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside. 2. n a small nonstick skillet, dry-roast the almonds over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly golden brown, stirring occasionally. 3. Stir in the brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and nut-meg. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the liquid has evaporated and the almonds are coated with the mix-ture, stirring constantly. Transfer to the foil. Let cool completely, 15 to 20 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the re-maining ingredients. 5. Add the cooled almonds to the cereal mixture, stirring

February is Heart Month!!

to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Quick Tips Tip: 1/2 cups per serving Tip: For variety, substitute different nutrient-dense dried fruits, such as cherries, apricots, and plums, for the cranberries and blueberries. Cut them into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces before adding them to the cereal mix-ture.

Retrieved from https://www.nutritionletter.tufts.edu/

issues/13_10/current-articles/Keeping-Your-Arteries-Young_2230-1.html on January 15, 2019 by Vanessa

Berg, MS LRD CDE

(Continued from page 6 )

February 2019 10

Rural Cass News

Congregate Dining: Page Cafe, Page, ND (668-2254): T,Th, F 11:30-12:30 (for senior center information,

see page 14); Leonard Cafe, Leonard, ND (645-2240): M,W,F 11:00; Hunter Cafe & Bakery, Hunter,

ND (874-2253): M,W,F 11:00. Please call one day ahead to sign up for a congregate meal.

Cass County Council Meeting: Monday, March 18th at 10:00 a.m. in Tower City .

Cass County Rural Bus Schedule:

Routes: North Cass County South Cass County

Hunter 8:00 a.m. Leonard 8:00 a.m

Arthur 8:20 Kindred 8:30

Casselton 9:00 Horace 8:45

Fargo 9:45 Fargo 9:15

North route runs February 5,12,19 & 26. South route runs February 6,13,20 & 27. Please call 356-7433 or

1-877-827-1916 for more information or to schedule your ride. For Page residents: you can use Steele

County bus to Fargo on February 11 & 22. Please call 1-800-845-1715 for pick-up information and to re-

serve a ride.

11 Valley Senior Services

Faith Lutheran Church Meal Site is Moving! The Faith Lutheran Church meal site will be moving to a new location on Monday, February 4

th. This new site will be located at Lutheran Church of the Cross - 1402 16th St E, West Fargo. It

will be open Monday through Friday with meals being served at noon. A variety of activities will also be provided by the West Fargo Area Community Program. See page 14 for more information on activities. Meals will be provided through the Valley Senior Services West Fargo High Rise kitchen and will be the same menu as the one that is currently available at meal sites throughout West Fargo. Meals will be for persons age 60 and older and their spouse for a suggested donation of $4.00. Those in-terested in attending the meal site can reserve their meal by calling 356-2047. Sign-up sheets will also be available at Lutheran Church of the Cross during the times meals are served. Participants are asked to sign up for a meal at least 24 hours before they plan to attend. Transportation to the site will be available through Metro Senior Ride Service by calling 356-RIDE (7433). Please join us at this new location starting February 4

th.

February 2019 12

Rent Refunds and Property Tax

Credits Available

If you are 65 years old, or totally and permanently disabled*, you

may be eligible for a rent refund or property tax credit.

Rent Refunds

You may be eligible to receive a rent refund if 20% of your annual

rent exceeds 4% of your annual income. Your income cannot exceed

$42,000 for the year 2018. A refund cannot exceed $400. For a hus-

band and wife living together, only one can apply for the refund.

Only the spouse applying for the refund needs to be 65 years of age.

A refund may not be made to a person who pays rent for any living

quarters that are exempt from property taxation and for which pay-

ment in lieu of property taxes is not made. (You may have to check

with your local assessor about the tax exempt properties in your ar-

ea).

For more information, or to request an application, call the State Tax

Commissioner at 1-877-328-7088 ext. 6. The applications must be

filed with the State Tax Commissioner by May 31st, 2019.

Property Tax Credit

The Homestead Property Tax Credit will reduce the homeowner’s

taxable value according to your income. In order to qualify for a

property tax credit, your income must not exceed $42,000 and your

assets may not exceed $500,000 (including the value or your home-

stead).

If you believe you are eligible for a property tax credit, you can file

an application with your local assessor by February 1 (or soon there-

after) in the year your property is assessed and for which you request

a property tax credit.

When considering income for both rent refunds and property tax

credits, all sources must be considered including but not limited to

Social Security benefits, pensions, salaries, unemployment benefits,

dividends, interest, profits, etc. Life insurance proceeds are not in-

cluded in the act. Medical expenses are deductible from income if

not compensated by insurance or other forms of compensation.

*The initial physician’s certificate or determination establishing disa-

bility remains in effect until circumstances change.

For additional information on rent refunds or property tax cred-

its, please call the State Tax Commissioner at 1-877-328-7088 ext.

6 or visit www.nd.gov/tax/renter. You may also call our office at

293-1440 or toll-free at 1-877-827-1916.

February

Foot Care

Sanford Home Care will

provide a nurse to cut and file

your toenails at the following

locations:

Trollwood Center

3105 Broadway, Fargo

Tuesday, February 5

Wednesday, February 6

Thursday, February 7

Tuesday, March 5

Wednesday, March 6

Thursday, March 7

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Call 234-3204 for appt.

West Fargo High Rise

230 8th Ave W, West Fargo

Monday, February 18

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Call 282-3443 for appt.

Ed Clapp Park Center

2801 32nd Ave. S, Fargo

Wednesday, February 20

Thursday, February 21

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Call 234-3204 for appt.

Appointments should be made

by the day before the

scheduled foot care clinic. The

fee for foot care is $18.00 at

senior centers.

Valley Senior Services 13

Community Outreach with Valley Senior Services Resource Specialists

We are excited to spend time getting to know more about you and answer your questions about available programs and services. Our Resource Specialists will be at the following meal sites from 10:30 until 12:00 during the month of February.

February 6th North Sky - Sheena February 20th Sunrise North - Karleen February 27th Crossroads - Jill

February 2019 14

SENIOR CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

Trollwood Senior Center 3105 N Broadway, Fargo Nancy Summers 298-3975

Feb. 5 - 10:00 Foot care clinics Feb. 6 - 10:00 Foot care; 2:00 Birthday Feb. 7 - 10:00 Foot care clinics Every Monday - 12:30 Whist & games; 2:00-3:00 Worship Service in Rosewood Room (1st & 3rd Mondays); Craft day (2nd & 4th Mondays) Every Tuesday - 1:00 Grocery bus; 12:30 Pinochle; 2:00 Bible study Every Wednesday - 9:30 Bone Builders in Rosewood Rm; 12:30 Pinochle, bridge & dominoes; 1:00 Walmart bus Every Thursday - 10:00 Bible study in Library; 12:45 Bingo; 10:30 Fargo Library (1st & 3rd Thursdays); 2:00-5:00 Quilting in craft room Every Friday - 9:30 Bone Builders in Rosewood Rm;12:30 Bridge; 2:30 Chat & Chew

West Fargo High Rise 230 8th Ave W, West Fargo

Feb. 18 - 10:00-2:00 Foot care Every Thursday - 8:00-10:00 Phone in groceries Monday-Friday - 5:30 Games

To reserve meals, please call 356-2047 at least one day in advance.

University Drive Manor 1201 2nd Ave S, Fargo Kimm 639-6921

Feb. 7 - 10:00 First Methodist Feb. 13 - 12:00- 1:00 Library Feb. 21 - 10:00 Olivet Feb. 27 - 12:00-1:00 Library Every Tuesday - 8:00 Grocery bus

Page Senior Center Larry Butler 668-2172

Feb. 1 - 12:30 Blood pressures; 1:00 Club meeting; Cards following Feb. 21 - 11:00 Foot clinic Feb. 27 - 12:00 Birthday dinner; cards & bingo Every Tues-Thurs-Fri - 11:30-12:30 Congregate Dining @ Page Café - call 668-2254 Every Tues & Friday - 10:00-11:00 Bone Builders Every Friday - 1:00 Card games - Everyone welcome

Ed Clapp Park Center 2801 32nd Ave S, Fargo Kim Ingebretson 298-3976

Feb. 8 - 1:00 Movie Feb. 13 - 12:30 AARP driving class Feb. 20 - 10:00-2:00 Foot care Feb. 21 - 9:00 Free exercise; 10:00-2:00 Foot care; 2:45 Birthday & anniversary lunch Every Monday - 12:45 Pinochle; 1:00 Cards or dominoes Every Tuesday - 9:30 Free exercise; 1:00 Whist, cards or dominoes Every Wednesday - 1:00 Mah jongg, bridge, cards, dominoes Every Thursday - 9:30 Free exercise; 1:15 Bingo Every Friday - 9:00 Mah jongg; 1:00 Bridge, cards or dominoes

Broadway Station 1461 Broadway, Fargo Em Janes 232-7936

Every Monday - 10:15 Bone Builders ; 1:00 Open activities Every Tuesday - 1:15 Bingo Every Wednesday - 12:30 Pinochle Every Thursday - 9:00-3:00 Sewing/Craft day; 1:00 Open activities Every Friday - 1:15 Bingo Mon-Friday - - 9:00-10:30 Roast & Toast

Lutheran Church of the Cross 1402 16th St E, West Fargo Marlene Batterberry 282-4575

Feb 5 - 11:00 Blood pressures; 12:15 Birthdays Feb. 7 - 1:00 Movie @WF Library Feb. 11 - 12:15 Cop talk Feb. 12 - 12:15 Valentine bingo Feb. 14 - 1:00 Movie @WF Library Feb. 19 - 12:15 Mexican train Feb. 20 - 1:00 Book club @WF Library Feb. 21 - 1:00 Movie @ WF Library Feb. 25 - 12:15 Sheriff Jahner Feb. 26 - 12:15 Bingo Feb. 28 - 1:00 Movie @WF Library Every Monday - 8:45 Sail @Rustad Rec; 11:00 Pickleball @Rustad Rec; 7:00 Bingo @VFW Every Tuesday - 8:00 Pickleball @Rustad Rec; 8:45 & 10:00 Bones Builders @ Veterans Memorial; 1:00-4:00 Pinochle ($2)@ Rustad Rec; 6:30 Twisted Stitchers @ WF Library Every Wednesday - 8:45 Sail @Rustad Rec; 11:00 Pickleball @Rustad Rec; 1:00 Whist/Pinochle Every Thursday - 8:00 Pickleball @Rustad Rec; 8:45 & 10:00 Bone Builders @ Veterans Memorial Every Friday - 8:45 Sail@Rustad Rec; 11:00 Pickleball @Rustad Rec; 7:00 Bingo @VFW Every Saturday - Noon Genealogy @WF Library; 7:00 Bingo @ VFW Monday-Thursday - 8:30 Senior Steppers @Rustad Rec

All activities are at 12:15 p.m. at Lutheran

Church of the Cross unless otherwise noted. Call 433-5460 to register for Library events.

To reserve meals, please call 356-2047 at least

one day in advance.

Valley Senior Services 15

North Dakota State University Psychology Research

Participants Ages 60+ Needed

Healthy individuals 60 years of age and older, with at least a high

school education, are needed for a study of attention and memory. Testing will take place at NDSU in Minard Hall. Parking will be

provided.

Compensation is $10 an hour for a 1.5 - 2-hour session.

For more information, call the Cognitive Aging Lab at (701) 231-5819 or email ndsu.cognitiveaging@ndsu.edu

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID FARGO, ND 58102 PERMIT NO. 1123

Valley Senior Services, Inc. P.O. Box 2217 Fargo, ND 58108